Vital work will close down tram network
TRAM users in Rochdale are set to be hit by disruption due to maintenance work.
All of the trams across Greater Manchester will stop running later this month, with some replacement buses put on for passengers affected.
No trams will be able to leave the depot while Metrolink carries out essential works on the network.
The “network-wide” shutdown will stop all trams due to run before 9am on Sunday, January 21, with normal service not resuming until 10.30am or later on some parts of the tram network.
Metrolink has said this will affect in particular the Oldham and Rochdale line where there is more ground to cover.
At the same time, other important maintenance will be carried out on the tram network that will take much of the day, with further disruption in store for anyone travelling on the lines between Piccadilly and Ashton-underlyne.
As a consequence, people using the Altrincham, Bury and Eccles services will have to get off at Piccadilly Gardens, where the lines will terminate.
Replacement buses will be put on for passengers affected by the Sunday stoppage of the Piccadilly line, though they will not be in effect until after 9am. The tram provider has also warned that timetable displays at each stop will not be in operation during the shutdown and could “take a little time” to return to normal.
With this widespread disruption, Metrolink is encouraging members of the public to check tram departure times on their website before setting off, or possibly face long waits on the platform. Alternatively, bus services across the city will continue to run, with all single fares still capped at £2.
The following service pattern will be in operation on Sunday, January 21, after 9am: Altrincham to Piccadilly Gardens, Bury to Piccadilly Gardens, Eccles to Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester Airport to Victoria, Rochdale to East Didsbury, Trafford Centre to Deansgatecastlefield.passengers
affected by the maintenance on the Ashtonunder-lyne and Piccadilly service will be able to catch a replacement bus from the following locations: Piccadilly Gardens Bus Stop Q, Piccadilly Rail Station Bus Stop, New
Islington Bus Stop F, Holt Town Bus Stop A, Velopark Bus Stop E, Clayton Hall Bus Stop B, Edge Lane Bus Stop C, Cemetery Road Bus Stop A, Droylsden Bus Stop B, Audenshaw Bus Stop B, Ashton Moss Bus Stop D,
Ashton West Bus Stop C, Ashton-under-lyne Interchange.
The first of these buses will leave Ashton at
8.50am and Piccadilly at
9.37am, while the last services will run at 12.05am and 11.22pm respectively.